Devin Booker Sees His Phoenix Suns in the Playoffs

Devin Booker believes his team could make the playoffs in the upcoming campaign. The young sharpshooter and one of the most promising guards in the league think that his Suns have solid potential.

Things haven’t been that good for the franchise from Arizona. But according to Booker, all that is going to change. In his interview for SB Nation, the 22-year old stated that he sees the Suns among the top 8 teams in the Western Conference.

“What do you want me to say, Paul (Coro, AZ Republic writer)?” Booker said when he saw the journalist. “Of course, I think we can make the playoffs,”

His optimism comes from the fact that the franchise landed some good, and experienced players during this free agency. It makes the youngster excited and confident before future challenges.

Booker speaks lifelong friend D’Lo, new Suns coaches and teammates (via @DaveKingNBA) https://t.co/qHwbf51RhB

— Bright Side of the Sun (@BrightSideSun) August 3, 2019

“I’m very excited. Very excited,” Booker said. “Really good coaching staff, a lot of guys that have played in the league. Rubio, re-signing Kelly, Saric, Aron Baynes… a lot of NBA guys I’m looking forward to playing with.”

Booker is the centerpiece of this team, and the Suns already confirmed that by giving him a max-contract five-year extension worth $158 million. The entire building process is revolving around him. But so far things haven’t been that great. Since he landed in Phoenix, the best season of this team was 2016-2017, when the team posted 24 wins. Last year, many expected to see a significant improvement under the new coach Igor Kokoskov, and with the No.1 pick DeAndre Ayton.

But it turned out to be the second-worst season in the franchise history. The only one worse was the inaugural back in 1968. Only 19 victories, bad chemistry, and a fired coach are the results of the previous campaign.

The reason for Booker’s confident attitude about the next season, are the newcomers who have a lot of quality and the new coach, Monty Williams.

He’s genuine. You can tell what he says, he means. And that’s really important,” Booker said of Williams.

Williams was a target of multiple NBA teams, but he chose Phoenix to be his first head coaching task. Lakers were aggressive in his pursuit, but eventually, Williams declined their offer.

Those players who signed with the Suns are veterans, and Booker intends to follow their guidance, as they know how to act in a certain situation.

“That have experience, have playoff experience, and know what it takes to get there. I’m following them, and at the same time trying to lead, and turn this thing around.”

How would you grade the Suns’ offseason?

• Draft: Cam Johnson, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque
• Trade for Dario Saric and Aron Baynes
• Sign Ricky Rubio to three-year, $51 million contract
• Re-sign Kelly Oubre Jr. to two-year, $30 million contract pic.twitter.com/M8Bjsaw68A

— Bright Side of the Sun (@BrightSideSun) July 11, 2019

Ricky Rubio is the biggest name which landed to Arizona. The 8th season international from Spain, no doubt, brings much tougher defense and is a player who will take off all the playmaking duties from Booker, who often had to take care of the ball in the past. Dario Saric will be handy for stretching rival’s defenses, while Aaron Baynes’ and Frank Kaminsky’s presence in the paint will make it more difficult for the opponents to score from a nearby.

The Suns didn’t just sign experienced players. The expectations are high for two guys from this year’s draft, Ty Jerome and Cameron Johnson. Jerome comes as the NCAA champion, and one of Virginia Cavaliers’ best players. Johnson was selected 11th overall and is projected to be a significant addition to the already talented roster.

The last time this franchise went into the playoffs was nine years ago, in 2010. In the latest three seasons, the Suns were last in the Western Conference.